PhD student’s childhood involvement in sports leads to current research path

Dec. 2, 2021

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We asked our current Graduate students to tell us a bit about themselves and what kind of things they are researching. Below is an overview of Sheryl Bourgaize's research.

Introduction

Name: Sheryl Bourgaize

Program: PhD in Kinesiology

Educational Background: Currently Wilfrid Laurier University 2023 – Doctor of Philosophy, Dept. of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Previously University of Guelph 2018 - Master of Science, Dept. of Human Health & Nutritional Sciences (Biomechanics)

Previously University of Guelph 2016 - Bachelor of Science, Honours Human Kinetics and minor in Nutritional & Nutraceutical Sciences

Current Project/Thesis/Field of Study: Biomechanics & Motor Control

Thesis Title: “Collision avoidance with another individual: The influence of person-specific characteristics”

Tell me about yourself and how you became engaged in your field of study?

My childhood involvements with sport are what originally led me to pursue a BSc in Human Kinetics, where I obtained an internship at a local physiotherapy clinic. This clinical experience is what evoked my research interest as I pursued an MSc specializing in Biomechanics, subsequently leading to a PhD in Kinesiology. During my undergrad, I played on the Gryphon Women’s Varsity Rugby team. The movement strategies and athleticism of rugby has continually influenced my research regarding collision avoidance. After completing my PhD, I will seek a postdoctoral or faculty position at a reputable university. However, as one of four women in my MSc cohort, we lacked female role models, advancement opportunities, research support, and camaraderie; emphasizing a need for improvement. Therefore, I aim not only to become a well-rounded academic supervisor and professor, but also to use my experiences in an academic position that incorporates advocacy for women in STEM.

Provide a brief overview about your research

Successful collision-free walking through a cluttered environment requires avoiding static and moving obstacles including other pedestrians. Individuals avoid collisions by maintaining a protective zone of “personal space” while walking. This space provides people with enough time to perform anticipatory and corrective movements in response to any hazards. However, the amount of space that one requires is adjusted based on the situation and who we’re interacting with. When we see another pedestrian along a pathway, information about the person’s physical (height, age, sex) and behavioural (speed, sway, direction) characteristics are visually perceived (external-characteristics).

Furthermore, how an individual views and makes judgements about their surroundings is modifiable to nonvisual influences such as past experiences, training, or sensations (internal-characteristics). For example, non-athletes judge hills to be steeper compared to athletes. However, it is unknown if collision avoidance is influenced by the external-characteristics of a pedestrian, or the internal-characteristics of oneself. As such, the goal of my research is to determine the external- and internal-characteristics that influence how individuals interact and avoid collisions with other people. This research will be applicable to creating realistic virtual agents used for gaming systems and clinical tools, and to re-design crowd simulation models used for urban planning.

How do you stay passionate as a graduate student?

During my MSc I stopped engaging in hobbies like painting, exercising, attending parties, visiting family, etc. Eventually, I resented my thesis and came close to burning out. I took 8-months off before my PhD to explore other facets of life, and when September rolled around I was thrilled to return to school! I needed a change of pace to revive the excitement and enthusiasm that I had for research. It is so important to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and to be passionate about things beyond schoolwork. I attribute my academic progression so far to a general passion for life.

What one piece of advice would you give to other students interested in pursuing graduate studies?

Celebrate the small victories! The graduate trajectory is not linear, you will encounter numerous barriers, but here is why you should celebrate along the way: 1) Pausing to celebrate reminds you that you’re making progress, and progress feels good; 2) You’re essentially reminding yourself that “I am successful… I’m on the right path…”, and gives you the motivation to keep going; 3) If you allow your attention to be consumed by adversity, it’s very easy to feel defeated. When you celebrate, that says “I can do this!” and you build confidence. Don’t just rush to the next challenge. Applaud yourself.

Where can someone learn more information about your program or research?

Manuscript Publications

Submitted to Journal of Motor Behaviour. Bourgaize S, Rapos V, Bocy C, McFadyen B, & Cinelli M. (2021). “Do these shoulder pads make me look big?”: Circumvention behaviours with someone of different sizes. [PhD].
Rapos V, Cinelli M, Grunberg R, Bourgaize S, Crétual A, & Olivier AH. (2021). Collision avoidance behaviours between older adult and young adult walkers. Gait & Posture. 88: 210-215. doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.05.033 [PhD].
Nersesian S, Vitkin N, Grantham S, & Bourgaize S. (2020). Illustrating your research: how to make an effective scientific figure. British Medical Journal. 370:m2254. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2254 [Side Project].
Bourgaize S, McFadyen B, & Cinelli M. (2020). Collision avoidance behaviours when circumventing people of different sizes in various positions and locations. Journal of Motor Behavior. 53(2): 166-175. doi.org/10.1080/00222895.2020.1742083 [PhD].
Bourgaize S, Janjua I, Murnaghan K, Mior S, Srbely J, & Newton G. (2019). Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Two sides of the same coin? A systematic review to determine the lexicon of the current diagnostic criteria. Musculoskeletal Care. 17(1): 3-12. doi.org/10.1002/msc.1366 [MSc].
Bourgaize S, Newton G, Kumbahare D, & Srbely J. (2018). A Comparison of the Clinical Manifestation and Pathophysiology of Myofascial Pain Syndrome & Fibromyalgia: Implications for Differential Diagnosis and Management. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association. 62(1): 26-41. PMID: 30270926 [MSc].

Abstract Publications

Bourgaize S, Cinelli M, Berton F, Niay B, Hoyet L, & Olivier A.H. (2021). Walking speed and trunk sway: Influence of an approaching person's gait pattern on collision avoidance. Journal of Vision. 21(9): 2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1167/jov.21.9.2023 [PhD].
Kelly J, Bourgaize S, & Cinelli M. (2021). Using biological motion to perceive human movement during a remote task. Journal of Vision. 21(9): 2991. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1167/jov.21.9.2991 [PhD].
Bourgaize S, Lacasse M, Taylor E, & Cinelli M. (2019). Differences in perceptions of aperture crossing during a virtual reality choice reaction task according to the temporality of visual stimuli. Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport (SCAPPS refereed abstracts repository), 51:1, 8. scapps.org/jems/index.php/1/article/view/2226 [PhD].
Bourgaize S, McFadyen B, & Cinelli M. (2019). Examining body size-characteristics on obstacle avoidance behaviour in human locomotion. International Society of Posture and Gait Research World Congress, P1-V-158. ispgr.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ISPGR-Abstract-Book.pdf [PhD].
Bourgaize S, Newton G, & Srbely J. (2017). Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A scoping review of current literature. Canadian Journal of Pain Abstracts, 1:1, A83. doi.org/10.1080/24740527.2017.1329323 [MSc].